Wu Lingyuan was so frightened that his heart trembled wildly. He hurriedly said, "No need, no need! I've had a betrothal since childhood. Once I've made something of myself, I'll go and marry her."
An Jiu patted his shoulder and walked out without saying a word, leaving him feeling particularly uneasy.
As a renowned assassin on the Crane Control List, Blood Fiend found being a constable effortless.
Since the government temporarily lacked funds to issue uniforms, he spent his days sitting on the street in plain clothes, selling handmade silk flowers. Whenever he spotted someone stealing or committing petty crimes, he would give them a sound beating with a club. Having been an assassin for so long, he instinctively concealed his movements, so none of the victims ever saw who hit them. Word spread quickly, and soon the people of Hexi County believed ghosts and deities were protecting the area. For a time, no one dared to commit immoral acts, and within a short period, Hexi County became a place where lost items were returned and doors remained unlocked at night.
With no criminals left to deal with, Blood Fiend grew bored and began targeting even those who neglected their children.
However, Hexi County had few children to begin with, and most parents doted on them, leaving Blood Fiend with no opportunity to act.
When An Jiu arrived on the street, she saw Blood Fiend sitting cross-legged under the shade of a willow tree, dressed in an ancient blue close-fitting outfit. His hair was casually tied up with a withered willow branch, and his overly pale complexion made him look like a frail scholar with no strength to harm even a chicken. His appearance was utterly ordinary—the kind that would never draw a second glance in a crowd—yet within the Crane Control Army, he stood out as peculiar.
An Jiu watched as his slender fingers moved swiftly, a beautiful flower blooming between his pale fingertips. Beside him lay a blue cloth spread with many meticulously crafted silk flowers.
"Uncle, your silk flowers are so pretty," a young girl of about seven or eight stopped in front of him.
Blood Fiend paused slightly and looked up at her.
The girl was startled by his icy gaze, but after a brief moment of panic, she quickly composed herself.
Blood Fiend smiled and handed her a pink peach blossom.
The girl exhaled slightly in relief but shook her head with a smile. "I don't have money to buy it."
Her clothes were clean and neat, though faded from washing and patched in places.
Without a word, Blood Fiend stood up and tucked the flower into her hair, whispering, "No charge."
The girl was pleasantly surprised but soon frowned. She took the flower out and returned it to Blood Fiend. "Mother says I can't take things from strangers, or the ghosts and deities will punish me."
Reluctantly, she placed the flower down and ran off.
Blood Fiend pinched the peach blossom between his fingers, examined it, then flicked it lightly. The flower landed perfectly atop the girl's head.
"Seems like you're adjusting well," An Jiu remarked.
Only then did Blood Fiend notice her. "I've never been able to see through your cultivation. How can you evade my senses so easily without Inner Force? Could you have reached the Transformation Realm in External Cultivation?"
He had never heard of any powerful external cultivators in the Crane Control Army.
"Guess," An Jiu said, squatting down to examine the silk flowers on the blue cloth. They were even more dazzling than real flowers. "Your craftsmanship really is impressive! Where did you get the fabric?"
"Bought it back in Bianjing," Blood Fiend replied.
An Jiu was speechless. He never thought to bring money when killing people, yet he remembered to buy fabric? What was there even to say?
"You're not getting any younger—have you considered finding a wife?" She had been brooding over Wu Lingyuan's rejection of her goodwill.
"Find one for Li Qingzhi instead. I have no interest in that," Blood Fiend said.An Jiu thought to herself, I hope this isn’t another Gao Dazhuang!
Blood Fiend seemed to read her mind. "I had a few lovers in the Crane Control Army. For me, relations between men and women were just a way to relieve stress. I’m fine now—I’m not interested in that anymore."
Those who lived in darkness had hearts like ice, yet in some ways, they were wild and unrestrained—such as in matters of sex. An Jiu had heard about the practice of finding partners in the Crane Control Army. Seeing that he truly had no interest in such things, she didn’t press further and instead asked, "Do you know where else we might find people who left the Crane Control Army?"
Blood Fiend thought for a moment. "Zhending Prefecture might have some."
"Perfect. Come with me there tomorrow," An Jiu said happily.
Zhending Prefecture wasn’t far—only about thirty li from here.
An Jiu added, "I just spoke with Mo Sigui. We’ll examine you today."
"Alright," Blood Fiend replied with a faint smile.
The two returned to the yamen and headed straight for Mo Sigui’s quarters.
As usual, the room was filled with hazy smoke, and stepping inside made one instantly drowsy.
In the misty dimness, a gray-haired man in green robes sat cross-legged on a cushion, his refined features carrying an air of transcendence.
Blood Fiend assumed this was the famed Miraculous Doctor Mo and was about to greet him when a lazy voice drifted from deeper within the smoke. "Come here, let me take a look."
An Jiu nodded at Blood Fiend.
He glanced at the gray-haired man and walked further inside.
In the dim light, Blood Fiend saw a man in loose gray-blue robes reclining on a low couch. In his left hand, he held a long pipe, while his right hand pinched a thin letter. His brows were furrowed, and his peach-blossom eyes held a mix of contemplation and weariness—just as the legends described, exuding an air of untamed charm.
Mo Sigui tapped out the ashes from his pipe and glanced up, his gaze sweeping over Blood Fiend’s face before reaching out to take his pulse. (To be continued)
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